"She speaks like an oracle, but a very sad one," said Helen. "Nevertheless, we will listen and obey.--You have spoken to my mother, and what you have said has produced no good effect: to me, therefore, it is quite evident that nothing can. Were it not that the fearful use which we hear made of the sacred name makes me tremble lest I too should use it irreverently, I would express the confidence I feel, that if we bear this heavy sorrow well, his care will be with us: and whether we say it or not, let us feel it. And now, Rosalind, we must redeem our lost time, and read for an hour or so upstairs. See! we have positively let the fire go out;--a proof how extremely injurious it is to permit our thoughts to fix themselves too intensely on any thing:--it renders one incapable of attending to the necessary affairs of life.--There, Charles, is a sermon for you. But don't look so miserable, my dear brother; or my courage will melt into thin air." "I will do my best to master it, Helen," he replied; "but I shall not be able to make a display of my stoicism before you this evening, for I must return to Oakley." "Are you going to dine there? Why did you not tell me so?" "If my conversation with my mother had ended differently, Helen, I should have postponed my visit till to-morrow; but as it is, it will be better for me to go now. I will drive myself over in the cab. I suppose I can have Joseph?" He rang the bell as he spoke. "Let the cab be got ready for me in half an hour: and tell Joseph I shall want him to go out with me to dinner." "The cab is not at home, sir," replied the servant. "Is it gone to the coach-maker's?--What is the matter with it." "There is nothing the matter with it, sir; but Mr. Cartwright has got it." "Then let my mare be saddled. She is in the stable, I suppose?" "Mr. Corbold has had the use of your mare, Mr. Charles, for more than a month, sir: and terribly worked she has been, Dick says." "Very well--it's no matter: I shall walk, William." The servant retired, with an expression of more sympathy than etiquette could warrant. Helen looked at her brother in very mournful silence; but tears of indignant passion started to the bright eyes of Rosalind. "Is there no remedy for all this?" she exclaimed. "Helen, let us run away together. They cannot rob me of my money, I suppose. Do ask Sir Gilbert, Charles, if I am obliged to stay here and witness these hateful goings-on." "I will--I will, Miss Torrington. It would, indeed, be best for you to leave us. But my poor Helen,--she must stay and bear it." "Then I shall stay too: and that I think you might guess, Mr. Mowbray."